(Minghui.org) Dan Jarvis, the UK Minister of State for Security, sent a written response to Lord Alton, a member of the House of Lords, on April 15, 2026, regarding an incident in which a Falun Gong practitioner was attacked by a bus driver who is pro-CCP (Chinese Communist Party) at a site outside the British Museum where practitioners tell people about the persecution in China. Several Members of Parliament (MP) condemned the attack and the CCP’s transnational repression.

A pro-CCP bus driver who works for a Chinese travel company assaulted a Falun Gong practitioner in front of the rear entrance of the British Museum on February 23, 2026. When they received the report, the London police assigned great importance to the matter and officially opened a criminal investigation into the case.

The UK Falun Dafa Association received letters from Feryal Clark MP, Preet Kaur Gill MP, Jo Platt MP, Patricia Ferguson MP, Cameron Thomas MP, and Mark Pritchard MP, expressing their concern about the issue and saying that any attempt on the part of a foreign government to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals or groups in the UK will not be tolerated.

Minister of State for Security: Falun Gong Should Not Be Intimidated

Lord Alton, a member of the House of Lords

Dan Jarvis MP, the UK Minister of State for Security, and his letter to Lord Alton

The letter from Dan Jarvis MP reads: “First and foremost, I want to express my sympathy to Mrs Chunping Zhang and to reaffirm, in the strongest possible terms, that any attempt to intimidate, harass, or harm people on UK soil is wholly unacceptable and will never be tolerated. Falun Gong practitioners, like all communities in the UK, are entitled to practise their beliefs peacefully and without fear.

“I understand that the Metropolitan Police have opened a criminal investigation into the assault. As I know you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specifics of an active police investigation, but I can assure you that such matters are taken extremely seriously. Where individuals are assessed to be at heightened risk, law enforcement acts swiftly and proportionately, drawing on longstanding systems to assess, detect and disrupt potential threats.

“Dr Liu’s email also raises broader concerns about transnational repression (TNR). The Government takes the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously. Any foreign state-directed crime against an individual in the UK will never be tolerated.”

MPs Condemn the Attack

Feryal Clark MP

Feryal Clark MP wrote, “I understand the serious worries many constituents have regarding reports of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China, including those affecting Falun Gong practitioners.

“I stand by the comments of my colleague, Chris Elmore MP, who serves as Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs. He said in the House of Commons chamber on the 18th March 2026:

“Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that sits at the heart of the UK’s wider human rights approach. The Government strategy on this topic was published last summer. It makes it plain that this fundamental human right is an important part of our foreign policy. As part of our strategy, we are focusing on 10 priority countries where we judge that we can make the biggest difference in defending that right; China is among them. That is the right thing to do and is firmly in our national interest: we know that countries that uphold fundamental rights and the rule of law are more stable, prosperous and resilient. When freedom of religion or belief comes under pressure, it is so often the case that other rights quickly follow.

“Those who wish to exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief in China face deep restrictions. Communities are limited in being able to practice their faith freely, including the Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Catholic and Protestant Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners. As I think every Member mentioned today, we continue to see extensive state control over freedom of religion or belief across different communities, including intrusive surveillance, restrictions on worship, requirements for political education and arbitrary detention.”

Ms. Clark also said, “Concerns have also been raised about the safety of individuals in the UK who may be at risk of coercion, intimidation, or harassment linked to foreign state activity. The Home Office has made clear that any such attempts within the UK are considered threats to national security and will not be tolerated.”

Preet Kaur Gill MPLetter from Preet Kaur Gill MP

Preet Kaur Gill MP wrote: “I was very concerned to hear about the incident at the British Museum on 23 February. Several questions have been raised in Parliament relating to Shen Yun and Falun Gong.

“On 6 March 2025, in response to a Written Question on Shen Yun performers, the Minister of State for the Home Office stated: “The Government is committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, including protecting the rights of Falun Gong practitioners and their performance group, Shen Yun.

“The Minister added: “We have a broad suite of powers to counter foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to keep people safe.”

Jo Platt MP

Jo Platt MP wrote: “The UK Government has been clear that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right. On 18 March 2026, during a Parliamentary debate on freedom of religion and belief in China, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office reaffirmed that principle.

“He emphasised that the UK is focusing on ten priority countries where it believes it can make the greatest difference in defending this right—and China is one of them. The Minister also acknowledged the “deep restrictions” faced by those seeking to practise their faith in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.

“The protection of individuals in the UK from foreign intimidation is equally a priority. A Home Office spokesperson has stressed that the safety and security of people in the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance, and that any attempts by a foreign state to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm individuals on UK soil are viewed as threats to our national security and sovereignty. Such actions will not be tolerated.”

The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP

The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP wrote: “The freedom to practice or share one’s faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right.”

Patricia Ferguson MP

Patricia Ferguson MP stated: “Firstly, the freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right, and no government should act in a way that threatens or undermines this. The treatment of communities such as Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, or Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Community Party is deeply concerning and should be treated with the upmost seriousness.

“In relation to the concerns that there may be actors seeking to impersonate Falun Gong practitioners and be targeting individuals such as elected officials, journalists and law enforcement, the Government have been clear that any attempt by a foreign state harass, intimidate or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated.  

“Furthermore, on the 4th of March 2025, the Security Minister announced a new package of training for frontline police officers and staff which would allow them to increase their understanding of threats that foreign powers present.”

Cameron Thomas MP

The office of Cameron Thomas MP responded, “Both Mr Thomas and the Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned by the increasingly assertive actions of the Chinese State on British soil and around the world.

“Please be assured that Mr Thomas fully understands the threat China poses to our democracy, at home and abroad, and will continue to push the Government to defend our freedoms and interests.”